The humorous part is that the error-of-margin for measuring MPG is actually greater than the MPG improvement itself!

How will anyone even know what benefit they are receiving... unless they only drive on the highway, since there is a ZERO percent improvement for high-speed cruising.

The auto-stop ability is completely worthless unless you actually stop. And because this type of "hybrid" lacks the ability to contribute to propulsion power, driving without any long stoplights won't really benefit either.

How exactly can they claim this is a "hybrid" vehicle? There wasn't even a component change from a design perspective. All they did was increase the size of the already existing battery & starter and change the way they react. All else is the same. The 3 currently available hybrids and the 2 upcoming have much, much greater differences from the traditional design.

If nothing else, the "hybrid" from GM shouldn't cost so much, since they didn't do that much.

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full size pick up trucks are not commuting vehicles, they are work vehicles. When one looks at the hybrid Silverado from a commuter's perspective, it does not seem worth it. From a worker's perspective, its advantages are clearly obvious.

Many people who work with pick ups work in areas where regular grid electric is not available.

Until now, the option was to use generators such as those made by Honda. These generators pollute much more and use more fuel than a stationary V8 auto engine. They are bulky and take up a lot of space that could be used for tools or supplies. Plus, they are frequently stolen and less reliable.

The advantage of having built in generators from both an enviromental and work perspective are obvious to those who know what pick up trucks are for.

Your right on target with perspective of the GM hybrid Pickup. What I wonder is if it would not have been more practical to incorporate their hybrid system in to a truck using the Duramax diesel. Diesels are much better for idling power. As improved mileage was not the main goal of this vehicle I wonder if it will sell to the general public. I believe all the first production go to fleet buyers.

I think the regulatory framework has to change to allow more diesels. GM probably sells almost its full allotment of diesels in California, Mass. and NY.

GM already makes diesel hybrid city busses.

I imagine a lot of Silverado sales are to fleets. Most construction and agriculture operations have gone corporate. Presumably, these will always be the primary customers for large pick up trucks with built in generators.

the Federal Government allows refineries to produce an older, sulpher laden diesel that can never burn as clean as gas.

When and if the US goes over to the cleaner diesel, diesel engines will burn cleaner.

Even the best diesel engine will produce more particulate than a comparable gas engine. The European regulators believe the particulates are acceptable considering there is less pollution generated to make the diesel fuel and, of course, there is less fuel burned over all.

My understanding is that even before Arnold became governor, CARB was looking at allowing more particulate in order to accomodate more diesels.

Good idea. GM is totally re-designing their SUV & truck line in 2006. Hopefully they look better than the last few years. I had 1988, 90, & 93 Chevy PU trucks and loved them all. I don't think the hybrid will be sold to the general public, only fleet.

It is definitely a "form" of hybrid, or they couldn't call it "Hybrid" at all...

"these trucks aren't actually propelled by the electricity they generate. Instead, an electric generator nestled in their transmission cases enable GM's hybrids to shut down their otherwise conventional gasoline engines while coasting or sitting at a stoplight."

So it CAN MOVE without using the gas engine and without the driver taking any action to shut the engine down (unlike a gas-only truck) and it does have an ISG (unlike a gas-only truck) and it does have two 20-amp integrated power sources in the rear (unlike a gas-only truck.)

It's great for contractors who need electric power on work sites. It was also a critical tool for the Florida hurricane season last year, when it was used to go to areas which had no power to help with things.

So although it is the LIGHTEST kind of hybrid, it's without argument a "gas electric vehicle" for sure, and last I heard, they call those "Hybrids."

&#147;In the 2008 calendar year, they&#146;re going to start building a full hybrid,&#148; said Brett Smith, assistant director of manufacturing, engineering and technology at the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich.

"Something is better than nothing. Its good that GM is also building Hybrid though it is Mild. "that is exactly right, the change doesn't seem like much, but how many guys can plug a beer fridge into the back of their ford or dodge when there out hunting in the far north?

I can see a market for someone that needs AC on the job. I wonder what kind of EPA rating it gets if they have to give the 8 yr 100k mile warranty.

Warranty Information For vehicles sold in the United States, in addition to the Bumper-To-Bumper Coverage described in the Warranty Booklet, General Motors will warrant certain Hybrid components for each 2005 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid (hereafter referred to as Hybrid) for 8 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers), whichever comes first, from the original in-service date of the vehicle, against warrantable repairs to the specific Hybrid components of the vehicle.

GM should have done this right after the Arab Oil Embargo of the 70s but I need to give credit where credit is due, who else offers a hybrid option in a P/U, oh & it's not just for fleet customers anymore. Here is a review from thecarconnection.com - snip - General Motors is a little bit behind in the hybrid race. But they're starting to catch up. Although more advanced hybrid models from GM are on the way over the next two years, for now the company is offering a "mild hybrid" version of its big Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, keeping the same V-8 powertrain but claiming a fuel economy improvement of 10 to 13 percent.

Does any "non-hybrid" car or truck have regen braking and energy storage modules?

Seems not......

these trucks aren't actually propelled by the electricity they generate. Instead, an electric generator nestled in their transmission cases enable GM's hybrids to shut down their otherwise conventional gasoline engines while coasting or sitting at a stoplight."

So it CAN MOVE without using the gas engine and without the driver taking any action to shut the engine down (unlike a gas-only truck) and it does have an ISG (unlike a gas-only truck) and it does have two 20-amp integrated power sources in the rear (unlike a gas-only truck.)

"I don't see much difference from the IMA used by Honda... Auto engine start and stop at speeds lower than 13 mph / Normal and continuous modes for onboard generator use / Energy storage module /Regenerative braking"

.

Yes, but the IMA does one extra thing that makes Honda a hybrid, and Chevy NOT:

- uses the stored electricity to push the car down the road (+14hp)

Having two sources of power to drive the wheels is the very definition of "hybrid power". The Chevy Pickup only has ONE power driving the wheels.